Mental Playbook

Maria Jose Rodriguez’s journey is about more than sports, it’s about identity, belonging, and building community across cultures.

Born and raised in Honduras, Maria shares what it was like leaving home and finding a new sense of belonging through sports. From working in Formula 1 to her time at TCU, she eventually found her way to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where she started as an intern and spent eight years growing into a manager role.

In this episode, Maria, former International Content Manager for the Steelers and Host of the EMpoderadas Podcast, opens up about the challenges of being a Latina woman in the sports industry, the pressure of losing parts of herself along the way, and how reconnecting with her identity and mentors ultimately became her greatest strength.

She also shares how she worked to connect players, fans, and communities from different backgrounds proving that the love of a team can bring people together no matter where they come from.

This conversation is about more than career growth, it’s about the WHY behind what you do, representation, and the power of staying true to who you are.

Check out her podcast: EMpoderadas Podcast

In this episode of the Mental Playbook, Emily Huston, former volleyball player and founder of HomeTeam, joins the show to talk about life after sport. Emily shares her athletic journey, why she retired, and the mental health challenges injured and retired athletes often face, such as isolation.

She introduces the “cliff effect,” where athletes spend their lives building toward their sport, only to lose structure and control once it ends.​ This often leads to unhealthy coping habits like substance abuse or depression. With suicide now the second leading cause of death among athletes, Emily explains why she created HomeTeam: a space for athletes to reconnect, feel supported, and navigate the transition together.

Join HomeTeam: https://www.hometeamgo.com/

In this special collaboration episode, The Anxious Athlete and The Mental Playbook come together for a deep conversation about building an identity that isn’t dependent on performance.

So many athletes grow up tying their self worth to the end result, playing time, stats, and external validation from coaches and parents. But what happens when performance declines, you get injured, or the sport eventually comes to an end?

We dive into why athletes connect their worth to sport in the first place, how early praise and structure shape identity, and what anxiety, burnout, or identity loss can look like during transitions whether it’s the sophomore slump or the big jump to college sports.

If you’ve ever wondered who you are beyond your sport, this conversation is for you.

The Anxious Athlete Podcast

In this episode of the Mental Playbook, we sit down with Karse Klijian, Founder and CEO of Klijian Sports Management, to break down the realities of athlete representation. Karse shares why athlete branding, NIL, and athlete likeness are essential for long term success on and off the field.

We dive into how he’s built trusting relationships with clients, the mindset required to start and grow a business while still in school, and the challenges young entrepreneurs face when competing in an industry dominated by bigger firms. Karse also explains what truly sets Klijian Sports Management apart and why authenticity, education, and adaptability matter.

Whether you’re an athlete trying to go pro, a student with big entrepreneurial goals, or someone interested in the business side of sports, this conversation carries valuable insight into mindset, credibility, and building what the sports industry often ignores.

In this episode, I’m talking to Cooper Keane, an opposite hitter for USC (Trojans) Men’s Volleyball and a member of the USAV U19 National Team.

We dive into his mental preparation on and off the court, the importance of adaptability and visualization in the quick changing game of volleyball, and how he balances life as both a student and an athlete.

Cooper also opens up about:

- Leadership in a team based sport

- The change from high school to college volleyball

- Navigating challenges like injury and mistakes

A great listen for athletes looking to level up their mindset and for those adapting to their first year of college as a student-athlete.

In this episode of The Mental Playbook, we sit down with Tyson Ford, former Notre Dame defensive lineman, now suiting up for Cal Berkeley as he shares his powerful journey through football and life.

Tyson talks about the decision to transfer, balancing academics with athletics, and what being part of a team has taught him about positivity, resilience, and support.

Whether you’re an athlete, student, or someone chasing your own goals, Tyson’s insight on discipline and growth on and off the field will leave you motivated and ready to tackle your own next step!

Tune in for honest stories, real mindset tips, and the truth about what it means to stay grounded through the game of life.

In Part 2 of our in-person episode with Sammie Reggev and Evan Sliter, we’re going even deeper.

This half of the convo brings:

🧠 Honest takes on mental health, expectations, and pressure

🏃 Reflections on what high school sports taught them

🤳 A deeper look at screen time, comparison, and finding peace offline

🧭 Big-picture goals, mental playbook, and their definition of success

It’s vulnerable, insightful, and still full of laughs.

Ready for the real talk? Part 2 brings it!

🎧 Don’t miss the conclusion of “Off the Grid.”

We’re kicking off our first-ever in-person filmed episode of The Mental Playbook with none other than Sammie Reggev and Evan Sliter, recent high school graduates with a passion for being out in the wilderness. And trust me, this one’s a must-listen.

Expect laughter, honesty, and some hot takes as we dive into:

🎒 Their coolest (and wildest) backpacking stories

🏐 The lessons they’ve learned from high school sports

📵 The complicated relationship our generation has with phones

🎓 Their mindset heading into college (nerves, excitement, and all)

It’s unplugged, unfiltered, and unforgettable.

If you’ve ever wanted to drop your phone, grab a backpack, and just go... this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now for Part 1 of "Off the Grid" and tune in Sunday, August 10th at 11 am pst for Part 2!

From calling USC Women’s Volleyball matches to writing NHL columns and covering pro teams like the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks, Kasey Kazliner is crafting a broadcasting journey defined by passion and persistence. In this episode, Kasey dives into how he found his voice in the booth, the lessons he’s learned from mentors about storytelling, and why working long days in sports media feels like fun when you love what you do. 

He also shares powerful advice for aspiring broadcasters from stepping outside your comfort zone to embracing every opportunity to grow. Whether you're interested in sports journalism, play-by-play announcing, or just love a behind-the-scenes look at sports media, this episode is full of insight and inspiration.

Annenberg Media by Kasey Kazliner: https://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/author/kasey-kazliner/

Instagram: @kaseykazliner

The transition from high school to college can feel overwhelming, and not just for students and student-athletes but parents too since no one gives you a college manual.

In this honest conversation, life coach and former assistant principal Suzanne Hanna breaks down what to expect before and during college AND how to handle it:

• ​Making friends while managing homesickness
• ​Staying motivated in class & keeping up with work
• ​Creating your own structure in college life
• ​Setting healthy boundaries and learning to say no
• ​What parents should (and shouldn’t) do to support their child(ren)

🎧 Listen now to learn how to navigate the highs, lows, and everything in between without losing yourself in the process.

📲 More from Suzanne: https://suzannehannacoaching.com/

Insta: @suzannehannacoaching

Check out this homesickness survival guide: LINK